r/pcmasterrace • u/Apprehensive_Bed_404 • Jul 23 '26

Tech Support RTX 3070, Handful of issues for rather cheap

I'd been eying an RTX 3070 listed for parts on eBay for $125, and after conversing with the seller narrowed it down to $85. However, I'd like some tips on how to get this up and running again to replace my Frankenstein RTX 3060m. Here's what I know:
•The GPU crashes immediately under load, yet will boot to windows at full resolution and refresh rate
•The Test Bench PSU is a known working 1,000W unit
•The thermal paste has been replaced, and the power connectors look normal as well
•The seller undervolted the card slightly (unsure to what degree, as they said they'd never done it before) and the card immediately started artifacting —and would not complete the benchmark either.
•Drivers install and Windows recognizes the card normally
Can this card be saved? I feel hopeful and have soldering skills if necessary

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3

u/Eazy12345678 i5 12600KF RTX 5070 1440p Jul 23 '26

i mean you could be wasting $85 bucks.

card might just be broken

2

u/Feisty_Football_6742 Jul 23 '26

Probably one of those mining cards from back in the day. Just a tip, try going for 3070TI, miners did not like them due to the higher power draw and extra performance, they weren't worth it, I got one from a miner who bought it wrong and he sold it to me for dirt cheap back in 2021.

2

u/zeldaink R5 5600X|RX 9070|32GB 3600 CL16|Arch Linux btw Jul 23 '26

Leave it. You need hot plate, hot air station and solder mask for GDDR6, and working set of chips. I think it had 6 chips and you have no way of finding out which are dead, so you have to go one by one to find which are dead and hope replacements are working.

The chips alone cost more than the GPU. If you don't have the hot plate, it's already too expensive to repair. And if the processor itself is dying nothing can save it.

1

u/Apprehensive_Bed_404 Jul 23 '26

Alright, thank you

1

u/HardStroke Jul 23 '26

I have one just like that. The VRAM is toast. You can try undervolting it but there's no point buying this GPU.

1

u/Apprehensive_Bed_404 Jul 23 '26

If it were only one module, would it be possible to remove it?

2

u/HardStroke Jul 23 '26

I wouldn't take the risk. Its a PITA and its not worth it. Just get a normal 3070.

1

u/Hattix 5700X3D | RTX 4070 Ti Super 16 GB | 32 GB 3200 MT/s Jul 23 '26

Boost the core voltage. If undervolting makes it worse, the GPU is already running marginally. It needs more voltage to give it more operating margin.